Helping Stop Overdose

Key points

  • Drugs take nearly 300 lives every day.
  • CDC created public awareness campaigns about the facts on fentanyl, the lifesaving power of naloxone, the dangers of polysubstance use, and reducing stigma to support recovery.
  • Take steps to reduce the risk of overdose for yourself or others.
Red concentric circles with text "Stop Overdose"

Overview

To respond to current trends in drug overdose, we created educational content to highlight drug use trends and encourage ways to safely reduce risk for oneself or others.

Talking about it

Facts on Fentanyl

facts on fentanyl
Fentanyl and fentanyl analogs are extremely dangerous, and many people may be unaware that their drugs contain it.

Fentanyl is up to 50x more potent than heroin and 100x more potent than morphine.123 Learn more about the dangers of fentanyl and how it has taken over the drug supply.

Polysubstance Use Facts

polysubstance use facts
Whether intentional or not, mixing drugs is never safe because the effects from combining drugs may be stronger and more unpredictable than one drug alone, and even deadly.
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Polysubstance use occurs when two or more drugs are taken together, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Learn about the risks and consequences of mixing different types of drugs.

Lifesaving Naloxone

lifesaving naloxone
Anyone can carry naloxone, give it to someone experiencing an overdose, and potentially save a life.

Naloxone is a safe medication that can reverse an overdose from opioids, including heroin and fentanyl. Learn more about how to get and use naloxone.

Stigma Reduction

Stigma reduction
1 in 6 Americans reports experiencing a substance use disorder, yet stigma remains a barrier to treatment.

Addiction is a disease, not a character flaw. There are safe and effective ways to treat substance use disorders. Learn more about understanding addiction to support recovery.

Resources

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Content Source:
  1. Suzuki J, El-Haddad S. A review: Fentanyl and non-pharmaceutical fentanyls. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 2017; 171:107–116.
  2. Ciccaron, D. Editorial for "US Heroin in Transition: supply changes, fentanyl adulteration and consequences." International Journal of Drug Policy. 2017;46:107-111.
  3. Comer, SD, Cahill, CM. Fentanyl: receptor pharmacology, abuse potential and implications for treatment. Neuroscience Biobehavioral Reviews. 2019; 106:49-57